UAE businessman to get India's top civilian honour

Dubai: The President of India's office announced yesterday in New Delhi that it will be conferring the Padma Shri award on Dr J.R. Gangaramani, CEO of the UAE-based Al Fara'a Group

Dr Gangaramani will be honoured for his social responsibility that underpins his remarkable business achievements. Dr Gangaramani's journey, which began in 1980 when he founded the Al Fara'a Integrated Construction Group, has culminated in a multi-faceted conglomerate of 10 construction-related companies that collectively employ 18,000 people.

Last year in January, Dr Gangaramani was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, which is reserved for notable persons of Indian Origin outside of India, by the President of India in Chennai.

Contribution

The prestigious Padma Shri Award, which was first conferred in 1954, is a civilian award for any Indian in honour of outstanding contribution or achievement in chosen fields.

Categories are not limited and include business excellence, public life and social service.

Dr Gangaramani is the fifth UAE Resident in 56 years and the sixth person in the GCC to be awarded the Padma Shri.

Visibly humbled by the appreciation for his achievements in the realm of entrepreneurial success, his pivotal role in strengthening Indo-UAE ties and his efforts at caring for the communities in which he operates, Dr Gangaramani thanked the rulers of the UAE in a press release for their economic wisdom in creating an environment conducive to realising one's dreams and further reiterated his commitment to serving the people of the UAE.